Giving up a part time permanent contract to go supply?

[lorisparkle]

Really this is a 'what would you do' but with a teaching theme!

So since having my DS I work one day a week on a permanent contract and the other days I do some supply work

I am really not happy in the permanent job, I feel I do not have the time to do all the other things that go with a permanent contract (planning, assessment, subject leader, etc etc) and dread that day coming round each week (and the night before when I am trying to get the planning done and the night when I am shattered from the hassle of getting loads of things done before I go and a long drive there and back) I would really love to give this job up but DH is worried about the lack of security of supply work, especially the lack of pay over the holidays.

The other option is to take a TA job - I have found one that has more responsibility and pay than the usual TA job but it is 27.5hours a week.

So what would you do. Suck it up or bite the bullet!

[GinandJag]

I would speak to a few supply agencies and find out what is available in your area for your subject. You can even register your CV (eg with Reed Education) and see what interest you get.

Think about your long-term career goals and how what you do now can contribute to these.

I signed up for supply at the beginning of this academic year, preferring block work to daily supply but not ruling anything out. From the moment my CV went live, I have been absolutely inundated with opportunities (12 phone calls a day and a similar number of emails). I ended up doing 6 weeks at a school before half-term and have just started at another school till Christmas, and have a permanent job starting in January.

Don't give up your job until you know what the market is like.

[lorisparkle]

Thanks GinandJag, I do all my supply work in one school and I keep hoping that they will give me some more regular work. I work in special schools so supply work is not that forthcoming. I find it all so much of a gamble though but I love the work when it comes.

[MrsUltra]

If it is only one day a week you could easily pick that up on supply of you are good enough, and it does sound that you are as you already do it and are asked back. Surely the amount of 'holiday' pay you get in you permanent job can't be much for one day? I ma biased though, I went straight to supply from School, Direct/PGCE training and love it - get 5 days a week, turn down days as often get more than one offer for that day, go home at 3.15, and if I feel like a duvet day, just take it - would never be crazy enough to take on a permanent role )

[Tapirs]

Sorry - bit of a hijack, but partly relevant to OP as it's money based - but do all schools go through agencies for supply cover. The chunk the agency takes made it a less enticing proposition the last time I looked.

[MrsUltra]

I started with agencies last year as knew no better. Over the summer I emailed several local schools and now have three I work with directly. They each need fewer days, as they are well organised, but much better paid, and I am 'staff member with badge etc ), so actually I could do 3 direct and take two days off and make the same money as 5 with the agencies...
Goal is to get 5 with direct, and the days are creeping up now that they know me and the kids are giving feedback that they get 'proper' lessons with me, as opposed to some of the 'supply' they had before.

[Tapirs]

Thanks Mrs Sounds like a good idea. Certainly food for thought.

[GinandJag]

Tapirs,

Even if you work through an agency, you should still get roughly the same pay as working directly for a school. It's the school that's taking the hit by going the agency route, not the teacher. There should be holiday pay included in the daily rate.

There are advantages and disadvantages of each route. If you are doing daily work, it is good to be able to work with just one school as you feel like a regular member of staff, and you get to know the students. The work can be more interesting too, as you get to teach rather than just handing out worksheets. If the school doesn't need cover though, then you don't get any work.

Saying that, I haven't had any agency day work to speak of this year. I am registered with 4 agencies and have had precisely one early morning call. To be fair, I haven't chased them up to remind them that I exist, but it's still poor. OTOH, there is so much block work around, so I have not wanted any daily work.